Hi,
im 16 years old and believe i have the symptoms of PCOS.
I have not had my period for a year and a half now, i have excessive hair growth for example on my face and neck ect and i also have oliy skin.
i havent gone to the doctors as i am too scared i do not know how to bring this up to my mum we never really talk about things like this. i know i can go to the doctors by myself but i really do not want to.
any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you
Britt x
I had symptoms at 11 and was diagnosed at 14, i can't really give you any advice about talking to your mum because I'm very close with my mum but in my opinion you should just ask if you can talk about something that's worrying you and then tell her, it is much better to have your mum there as it may not seem like it but she will understand, I also strongly suggest going to the Drs, it may not be PCOS it took 3 years for me to be diagnosed and in the mean time I was tested for almost everything it could have been, PCOS is scary to be diagnosed with at a young age as it deals with things such as fertility and things like that which you shouldn't be worrying about until you're older, dont research horror stories online until you've been diagnosed with something as this may just be a part of puberty because you're hormones are all over the place, speak to your mum and make an appointment to see your GP as a start, even if you're not particularly close to your mum she will understand and be supportive, hope this helped a little xx
Thank you so much for your reply it has definately helped!
im just worried if i go to the doctors and nothings wrong ill make myself look like an idiot, i know that sounds stupid i mean its a doctor its what they're there for but i get uncomfortable in those sort of situations. im also overweight could that be another reason? im so confused right now.
Thank you again xxx
Believe me Drs have heared it all, and you won't look stupid, trouble with weight is a symptom of PCOS, but you're also 16 you're hormones are literally bouncing all over the place and it can cause all kinds of crazy things to happen but it's always best to go to the Drs especially if you haven't had a period in 1 1/2 years, it's not a scary process going to the Drs the first time because they will just send you for tests, it takes a few months if not years for results as well but going to the Drs is the best thing, if you're nervous take notes with you, honestly sometimes you have to I've done it and sometimes it's better because you won't forget things xx
Hi Britt.
We had another young girl on here a few weeks ago who felt exactly the same way as you.
If you feel you can't talk to your mum, do you have an older sister or an aunt you can chat to? If not, would you feel less nervous writing your mum a note? Sometimes things are easier to say on paper.
Whatever you decide to do, you really do need to get this checked out. You could be worrying about nothing, but if it is PCOS, then there is treatment and help out there.
I was younger than you when I started to notice changes, but it wasn't recognised back then and wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 20's. I am now 44.
I know you say you and your mum never really talk about things like this, but if you do talk to her, I bet she'll be glad you felt able to open up to her.
You have nothing to be scared or embarrassed about.
There are so many people on here who have gone through exactly what you are going through now, so don't be afraid to ask us anything at all.
Good luck and take care.
Jo x
Thank you so much you've helped me alot!
I really appreciate it xx
Thank you for your reply, my family isnt the kind that talk about things like this, it just how its alway been.
I think im going to talk to my mum though, reading yours and the other kind ladys reply i think im just going to sit down with her and say it.
If its not pcos do you know what else it could be? no worries if not
Thank you so much you've really helped me in making a final decision!
I appreciate it alot!
Thank you again
Britt xx
Hi Britt
I'm really pleased to hear that you are going to sit and chat to your mum. Very grown up of you. She'll be glad you did.
I've been diagnosed with both Endometriosis and PCOS. Both very painful.
Try not to think too far ahead of what it could or couldn't be, you'll just be worrying when it could be nothing at all.
Chat to mum. Chat to your doctor and take it step by step.
If he does diagnose you with either, then cross that bridge.
Keep us updated and good luck.
Jo x
Hello,
I can relate to you totally, I started noticing symtpoms especially in my periods when I was about 16 (I am 18 now) and I thought it was just them settling down as I know they can be irregular when you first start and I didn't start mine until I was 14 but after realising it should only really take a few months and it was almost 3 years later I knew something wasn't right.
Luckily (well as lucky as you can be having PCOS) my mum had it too so she understood. But I know exactly what you mean about approaching the situtaion.
Annoyingly though my mum has no obvious symptoms whereas I resemble a gorilla (okay i'm not that bad but I get something that resembles a 5 o'clock shadow every time i shave and cant have my armpits on show for more than a day without stubble showing ) I also have oily skin which i'm actually going to the doctors about tomorrow and hopefully they will put me on the contraceptive pill as it settles periods (mine last for about 10-12 days and are really heavy yet the gap between them can be anywhere from 3 days to 6 months and my skin is always terrible before I come on)
As for bringing it up, if it was me I wouldn't do it in a sit down on the sofa I need to talk to you sort of way, that is always too nerve wracking and makes it sound a lot worse than it actually is. Find a matter of fact what to bring it up, like if a tampon advert comes on the TV and its just the 2 of you say something like "wow haven't used one of them in a while!". Sometimes I find the best way to do it is to just jump in at the deep end, don't think about it and walk up to your mum and say "should I be worried that i've not had my period in over a year? I've been googling and I don't think I have brain cancer but I could have poly-cystic ovaries" something with a bit of humour in always softens the mood. Or just be really grown up about it and say "Mum i'm going to book a doctors appointment as i'm a bit worried about my periods will you come with me?"
email me if you want any more advice or just someone the same age to relate to - ______
Clara xx
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Don't be scared to talk to people. I was petrified at first as I didn't know what was happening to my body, but upon talking about to friends it is more common than you think and their advice, tips and experience make you realise your not alone! My best friend and work colleague also suffer with it and I found that out by opening up about my diagnoses x